Dorothea Dix

Inspired by her social conscience, Dorothea Dix launched a self-financed career aimed at improving the lives of the mentally ill. Her mission to document squalid institutional living conditions and inhumane treatment built public awareness and redefined political thought, leading to better treatment practices.

Sponsorship opportunity available.

Social issues Dorothea Dix addressed:

Improved conditions for people with disabilities

Advocacy for marginalized citizens

Education

Social issues that need to be addressed today:

Conditions for People with Disabilities – There are 38,430,187 people 16 years of age and older with disabilities in the U.S. Source

Poverty for Marginalized citizens – The poverty rate for people 16 years of age and older in the U.S. is 11.8 percent as compared to 21.0 percent for people with disabilities. Source

Special Education – Nearly 2.9 million students are currently receiving special education services for learning disabilities in the U.S. Source

Location

The Extra Mile begins at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street, NW and continues north on 15th Street to G Street, NW. There, at the Old Ebbitt Grill, it turns east on G Street for two blocks to its intersection with 13th Street. As honoree medallions are added in future years, the Pathway will be continued on G Street.

Transportation

The closest Metro stations are Metro Center on the red line and McPherson Square on the blue and orange lines.

Hours and Accessibility
The Extra Mile is located on the sidewalks of downtown Washington, D.C., so it is always open and fully accessible.